GLG News by Hematologists who Treat CLL (US)

Vectibix's undue toxicity without obvious benefits punctures Amgen's hope of finding a first or even second line use for this EGFR directed monoclonal antibody.

OXiGENE, Inc's., ZYBRESTAT(TM) (fosbretabulin), a vascular disrupting agent (?) is being given with Taxol/Carboplatin (T/C) in a randomized Phase II study. Soooo T/C with or without ZYBRESTAT.

 "A Johnson & Johnson foot gel used by diabetics may increase the risk of cancer and death, U.S. health officials said on Thursday in announcing an investigation into the issue."

Phase II results ++

"Belly Fat" in middle age can be associated with the development of dementia as one ages.

Support from a cigarette manufacturer raises questions as to the conclusions from this study which says early detection by repetitive CT's can improve cancer cure rates by early detection. (making smoking safer?)

Hormone blocking therapy is added to radiation, unnecessarily, in early prostate cancer patients. The result in early stage patients is unnecessary side effects and reduced quality of life. Go figure.

Antibodies have been identified that explain allergic reactions that can terminate it's use in individuals who "react."

This exceedingly rare condition produces organ damage due to infiltration of blood eosinophils. Steroids are the only effective therapy in the non myeloproliferative subset of patients, so for the chosen few this drug will be invaluable.

Vaccination with EGF was used in a maintenance situation after initial chemo. No only did it produce EGF antibodies BUT the antibody response was correlated with survival!!